Jamaica: West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Dave Cameron says "character and focus" are the main factors that have driven West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul to reach the milestone of 300 first-class matches.

The 38-year-old achieved the rare feat appearing for Derbyshire against Sussex in the English County championship.

"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the WICB and the entire West Indies cricket fraternity, I would like to offer my sincerest congratulations to Shiv on this momentous occasion," said Cameron on Saturday.

"His character and focus have helped him to earn this landmark and he should never let those qualities fade away."

Only six men in the history of the game have reached the landmark of 300 first class appearances.